Notes From My Office Chair

 

 My view of proceedings from my office chair (drum stool)!

 This picture was taken at our own gig at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ. It shows what I can see, which is not a lot depending on the reflection of light. I'm working on getting the Perspex screen(s) laid at an angle to me so it stops the sound slap back and of course stops me seeing reflections of myself (very annoying during the show). It is a problem. 

 The screens are there because it helps shield the drum kits clattering sound from being picked up by Chrissie's microphone which would put that sound in her ears. Not good. (Even I don't have it in my own ears)! 
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 So I'm working with our scientists/techs on an easier way of not getting any audio/visual reflection and an angle would cure that. 
Now aren't you glad I shared?
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 Tomorrow we are doing our own show in Akron Ohio. Now I'm sure I know someone who is from that neck of the woods!!!   
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See Ya !

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M.D.C.

Leaving Grand Rapids

  Hello everyone. Sorry for the delay in the blog. This is the time in the tour where I start to feel physically as if I have been in a car wreck. Everything aches and muscles are complaining. The two flights yesterday back from Grand Rapids made my head spin but the dinner last night with Stevie and everyone leveled me out somewhat.

  On a positive note, the tour is magnificent. It's a very happy touring company and there is now a very good chance of more touring in the New Year with Stevie and maybe even some dates in the Antipodes!  
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  The Late Show last week was great. It was also a pleasure to have Dan Auerbach playing in the band again. The Ed Sullivan Theatre has had a lot stripped out of it since the Letterman days and the old room is more apparent with the lovely domed ceiling featuring well. We thought of the old days of the Beatles and James found the new chord to end Holy Commotion, so we worked an old tribute ending to the song with a little bow! Why not?

 M.D.C.

Sadness In Nashville

 The last few days have been strange and stressful, experiencing the U.S.A. go through such painful changes. On Tuesday, as I walked around Ernest Tubb Record Shop on Broadway in Downtown Nashville, I was remembering what it was like here many decades ago when I first encountered this music town.
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Even 9 years ago the Ryman Theatre was standing proud and could be seen from a distance. Now I find it so sad that this National Historic Landmark that was once the heart and soul of Nashville,(The Union Gospel Tabernacle built in 1892, later to become The Grand Ole Opry, that operated from 1943 to 1974)is hidden from view by all the new buildings that sadly conceal it's very existence. 

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 After resorting to a jumbo margarita and some rice and beans at a local Mexican restaurant, I watched the votes come in. What on earth will happen next?
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I am now in Charlotte, N. Carolina and tonight I am looking forward to playing the Spectrum Arena. 

The trucks and buses roll on. 
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 M.D.C.

Jimmy Scott. The starlet would have been 60 years old.

    

         Picture by Robert Matheu for 'Stars Cars' in Creem magazine.   

   

   It was James Honeyman Scott's birthday on November the 4th. Thought I would show you all he was truly multi talented.
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M.D.C. 

 

Now and Then

 
My life on the road has spanned 50 years. An awful lot has changed! Including the road transportation, moving people, and equipment. But the reason for doing so is exactly the same for me now as it was back then-simply to turn people on to a good time! 

So if you have been to any of the shows so far, I hope you have been 'turned on'! It also looks very much like we will be performing all over this blue planet for the next 10 months or so, on and off, so I hope to see you all over that period. 

 

M.D.C.